Themba Siwela

(b. 197?, South Africa)

Themba Siwela was born in Kwa Mashu, a village that lies to the north of Durban in Kwa Zulu Natal. He was forced to leave school due to lack of money. He then worked as an advertising artist and portrait painter for many years. He has become active as a comic artist and cartoonist in the early 2000s. Siwela draws a monthly comic entitled 'Majimbos' for Bona Magazine and has frequently produced drawings about safety, education and AIDS for magazines issued by non-governmental organizations. Siwela regularly contributes to the Mamba Comix magazine and he is a member of South African Cartoonists & Illustrators together with 47 other illustrators.